Jeremy Scott's 'Shackle' Sneaker Causes Racism Controversy (Poll)

Sportswear giant Adidas insists that the designer's "Handcuff" shoes are "quirky and lighthearted" after critics condemned them as racist with descriptions such as "Amistad Originals."

June 18, 2012

by

Elizabeth

There's a new Adidas sneaker causing a bit of a ruckus in the footwear world. Adidas's Jeremy Scott x adidas Roundhouse Mid "Handcuffs" is being dubbed the "shackle" sneaker because of the plastic shackles and chains that fasten around your ankles, presumably to keep people from stealing your shoes.

Posted on the Adidas Facebook page, the Jeremy Scott x adidas Roundhouse Mid "Handcuffs" are an updated version of the footwear conglomerate's classic Roundhouse, a high-top lace-up with a Velcro strap across the middle. But Scott, who has created looks for Katy Perry, Beyonce, Kanye West, Rihanna, Fergie and Lady Gaga and designed costumes for Madonna's new MDNA tour, cleverly added the controversial plastic handcuff and chains.

Adidas Originals is promoting these $350 shoes, which will hit stores August 12, with ads and slogan using "lock" puns such as “Tighten up your style with the JS Roundhouse Mids, dropping in August” and “Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles”

Some people are taking issue with the shackle effect on the shoe's Facebook page, many associating it with a historical symbol of African slavery. "Racist a bit, no?" asked one commenter. One commenter writes, "Please tell me this is FAKE. I am not hearing these Adidas Amistad Originals," referring to African slave ship revolt in 1839. But one Facebook contributor popped the ballooning anger adding,"not every thing with a chain is related to slavery people....."

Adidas has released this statement: “The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery. Jeremy Scott is renowned as a designer whose style is quirky and lighthearted and his previous shoe designs for adidas Originals have, for example, included panda heads and Mickey Mouse. Any suggestion that this is linked to slavery is untruthful.”